Break Housing

Because the residence halls are closed during the winter (Christmas) break between the end of Fall Semester exams and the beginning of January, it is necessary for students to find alternative housing. Plan ahead and don't wait until December! You have several options:

Friends and Family

If you have friends or family in the United States who have welcomed you into their home, you may consider visiting and staying with them over breaks and vacation periods when Wilson housing is closed.

Christmas International House

Housing information is available at www.christmasih.org. Quoting from their website: Christmas International House is a Christian ministry designed to offer hospitality to students during the Christmas Holidays. Through the hospitality of churches and civic groups, we witness to the reality that, behind diverse manners of dress, religious affiliations and political ideologies, everyone stands together as one human family. This is a peacemaking program. It gives students an opportunity to visit in an American home and to become acquainted with different areas of the country. It gives them a chance to express their feelings about the United States and find explanations for cultural differences they have observed.

You do not need to be Christian to participate in this program. International students are able to stay with a host family or at a church hall during the holiday break. You must pay a $125 registration fee (if you apply before October 15, higher later) and obtain transportation to your location. There aren't other costs. Some Wilson students have participated in this program and have enjoyed it. They experienced living in an American family in a different part of the country. There is a list of states and cities to choose from, so you could spend your Christmas in Florida, California, Nebraska, or many other places!

The program runs from December 20, 2014 to January 2, 2015. You can apply from September 15 but no later than November 15. The earlier you apply, the more likely you are to get your choice of location and the lower the application fees.

Local Host Families

There are a few limited options for students who want to stay in the Chambersburg area with a host family during Wilson College breaks. International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) may be able to direct you to some willing families. Please inform ISSS far in advance if you are interested in this option.